2026: A defining year for women farmers

From production, processing and trade, women farmers sustain agrifood systems worldwide. The International Year of the Woman Farmer puts their leadership in focus.

The backbone of agrifood systems

Women are essential to agrifood systems, working across farming, livestock, fisheries and aquaculture, forestry, food processing and research. Globally, women make up 41% of the agrifood workforce, yet their work is often informal, underpaid and overlooked. In regions such as South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, the proportion of women engaged in agrifood systems is as high as 70%.

Despite their vital contribution to agrifood systems, women farmers continue to face structural barriers. Limited access to and control over land, credit, training, technology and services undermines their productivity and earnings, while unpaid care work further restricts their opportunities. These barriers have real consequences. When men and women farm plots of the same size, women’s output is on average 24% lower. The same systemic inequalities are reflected in wages: women working in agrifood systems earn just 78 cents for every dollar earned by men.

Empowered women, transforming agrifood systems

Addressing these structural inequalities through responsive policies, better access to services and finance, and targeted training could deliver enormous social and economic gains. It could reduce hunger, improve dietary diversity and boost resilience.

Recent FAO estimates show that closing such gaps in farm productivity and wages could raise global GDP by USD 1 trillion and reduce food insecurity for 45 million people. Meanwhile, development interventions focused on empowering rural women could increase the incomes of 58 million people and strengthen resilience for 235 million more.

Driving this progress will require deliberate and sustained action. This means advancing sound policies and legislation, increasing investments in women’s empowerment, and expanding women farmers’ access to land, finance, training, technology, markets and services. It also means supporting women’s leadership and participation in decision-making, so they can help shape the policies, programmes and investments that affect their lives and livelihoods.

The year to act

In 2026, the International Year of the Woman Farmer offers a unique opportunity to put women at the centre of agrifood systems transformation. It is a moment to raise awareness of their contributions, highlight the inequalities they continue to face, and take the action needed to support their empowerment.

By listening to women farmers and investing in their empowerment, we can help build more inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems that benefit everyone. The future of agrifood systems hinges on women being able to reach their full potential, and on systems that finally recognize, value and support their work and leadership.

Authors:

Claudia Valdivielso Sancho, Communications Coordinator, International Year of the Woman Farmer, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

Tacko Ndiaye. Senior Gender Officer/Gender Team Leader, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)